Dawn Thomas-Wightman

Deputy Representative

Dawn Thomas-Wightman was appointed Deputy Representative for Children and Youth in August 2015, having acted in the role since January 2015.

Dawn returned to the RCY in 2014 to serve as the Office’s Chief Investigator. She had previously worked as an RCY Investigator from January 2010 to January 2012, and then served for a year as the Associate Deputy Representative, Aboriginal and Community Relations and Youth Engagement. She then held the position Executive Director, Aboriginal Services, at the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Ms. Thomas-Wightman worked in the field of Aboriginal child welfare for 17 years, in both delegated Aboriginal Agencies and the Aboriginal Services Branch of MCFD. A member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, her name is Aa ap waa iik, which translates to “the one who always says the right words or right speeches about chiefly business.” It is a Nuuchuhnulth name because her grandmother’s family is Nuuchuhnulth.

Ms.Thomas-Wightman has her Bachelor of Arts (Youth and Child Care) and her Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution, both from the University of Victoria.

Thomas-Wightman is currently on temporary secondment to the First Nations Summit Society.

Twitter

RT @RCYBCyouth: A good reminder: you have rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Feel like your rig… https://t.co/1CyhAYTIjZ —
4 days 14 hours ago